Asheville-area outdoors calendar

Runners after the 20th annual Weaverville Kiwanis Firecracker 5K on July 4 take in the awards ceremony in the rain. For upcoming footraces in Asheville and Western North Carolina, see the Outdoors Calendar at www.CITIZEN-TIMES.com/outdoors.

A Week in the Water: Today, Pisgah Center For Wildlife Education, 1401 Fish Hatchery Road, Pisgah Forest. For ages 8 through 15. Enjoy a weeklong series of hands-on classes that focus on the art and skill of fly-fishing. Free. 877-4423. www.ncwildlife.org/enjoying

Asheville Hiking Meet-up Group: Sundays and Saturdays, until Dec. 31, Asheville Hiking Meet-up Group, Asheville. Social and hiking club made up of all ages and professions. Free. www.meetup.com/ashevillehiking

Winged Creatures of the Night Twilight Tour: 7:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday, Cradle of Forestry, 11250 Pisgah Hwy, Pisgah Forest. Learn more about night-flying animals. Bring a flashlight and sense of wonder to enjoy a special focus on nocturnal life in the summer woods. Wheelchair-accessible. Children can make a luna moth finger puppet to take home. $6 age 16 and older, $3 age 15 and younger, Federal Recreation Pass holders and Golden Age Passport holders.. Contact Cindy Carpenter 877-3130 ccarpenter02@fs.fed.us www.cradleofforestry.com

Enjoy Old-Time Music: 4-6 p.m. Sunday, Cradle of Forestry, 11250 Pisgah Hwy, Pisgah Forest. Enjoy the music of Hilary Dirlam and Rhonda Gouge during the Songcatchers Music Series. Admission is $6 for ages 16 and older; $3 for 15 and younger and America the Beautiful and Golden Age pass holders. 877-3130 www.cradleofforestry.org

Lake Channel Overlook Trail Hike: Sunday, Catawba River Area office, Lake James State Park, Nebo. Ranger Weaver will point out many of the plants and animals we see along the way during this easy, 0.5-mile hike. Please wear appropriate clothing and footwear. 652-5047

Cycling Races/Events

French Broad Cycling Classic: July 19, 4-midnight, Biltmore Park Town Square, Biltmore Park Town, Arden. The French Broad Cycling Classic returns to Asheville with a new race venue, and will be included in the inaugural 2013 Southeast Regional Series, which will bring 600 of the nation's top riders. Admission is Free for all events. FrenchBroadCyclingClassic.com http://FrenchBroadCyclingClassic.com

Cycle to Farm 2013: July 20, Recreation Park Black Mountain, Recreation Park Drive, Black Mountain, North Carolina. A farm tour by bicycle. More than 62 miles through rural WNC. Farms host the rest stops and riders can sample and buy, with purchases delivered to the finish for the riders. 15-mile short option available. Great party at the end. Contact Jen Caldwell-Billstrom info@CycleToFarm.org www.CycleToFarm.org

Lake Lure Olympiad & Race to the Rock (5K run or 25 mile bike): Aug. 23, 5:30 p.m., Rumbling Bald Resort On Lake Lure, 112 Mountain Blvd, Lake Lure. Aug. 23-25. Three races in three days: 10K Dam Run, Lake Lure Triathlon, Race to the Rock. Cyclists and runners eagerly await the chance to climb from the entrance of Chimney Rock State Park to the pinnacle, more than three miles up. Visit www.lakelureolympiad.com to register. $10-$65 per person, depending upon event(s). Contact www.lakelureolympiad.com http://lakelureolympiad.com/

Hiking/Walking

Friends of the Smokies hike: July 16, Call 828-452-0720 for meeting places. Hike 7.5 miles up Appalachian Trail from Newfound Gap and down to Kephart Prong Trailhead. Moderate in difficulty. Total ascent of 900 feet with most of the hike downhill. Participants will gather in Asheville at 8:30 a.m., Maggie Valley at 9 a.m., or Cherokee at 9:30 a.m. $10 members, $35 non-members. 452-0720 www.friendsofthesmokies.org

Leonard Adkins speaks about hiking Blue Ridge Parkway: July 18, 7-9 p.m., Malaprop's Bookstore and Cafe, 55 Haywood Street, Asheville. Whether you're a hiking novice or have years of experience, Hiking and Traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway is the perfect companion for your next adventure. Meet the author, Leonard Adkins. Free. Contact University of North Carolina Press http://uncpress.unc.edu/books/11720.html

Hike across Blackstock Knob on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail: July 20, Burnsville Town Square, downtown Burnsville, Burnsville. Hike is rated as difficult. Open to High Peaks members and the general public at no charge. Hikers should pack a lunch, snacks and plenty of water. Contact Mike Williams 675-9384 mikew3000@gmail.com

Hunting/Fishing

Delayed-Harvest Trout Waters Open: July 11, , N.C.. The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will open trout streams and two lakes classified as delayed-harvest trout waters under hatchery-supported regulations. From 6 a.m. until 11:59 a.m. on June 1, waters are open only to anglers 15 years old and younger. At noon, waters open to all anglers. www.ncwildlife.org

Pellet Rifle Shooting Range: July 25, 9-11 a.m., Pisgah Center For Wildlife Education, 1401 Fish Hatchery Road, Pisgah Forest. For ages 8 and older. Learn about firearm safety and shooting. This program will focus on different types of firearms and how to handle them properly. Free. 877-4423 www.ncwildlife.org/enjoying

Introduction to Fly-Fishing on the Lake: July 26, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Buck Forest parking area, DuPont State Forest, Staton Road, Brevard. For ages 12 and older. Learn the basics of fly-fishing while fishing on a local lake. Equipment and materials provided. Bring a lunch. Limited to first six participants who have completed Intro to Fly-Fishing or have equivalent experience. Free. 877-4423 www.ncwildlife.org/enjoying

Gone Fishin: July 27, 9-11 a.m., High Falls parking area, Lake Dense. For ages 5 through 12. Enjoy a relaxing morning of fishing on Lake Dense. Learn fishing skills, water safety and fishing regulations. Equipment provided. You may register for one ?Gone Fishin?? program per summer. Limited to 25 participants. Free. 877-4423 www.ncwildlife.org/enjoying

Lake Logan Aquathlon: Aug. 4, Lake Logan. Starts with a 1,500-meter swim and 5K run. Lake Logan will also be the site of Aquathlon National Championships. Entry fees through June 30 are $40 individual, $45 July 1-31. Visit www.gloryhoundevents.com

King of the Smokies Triathlon: Aug. 31, Lake Junaluska. Sprint and International distance triathlons at Lake Junaluska. Sprint is half-mile swim, 17.3-mile bike, 3.77-mile run. International is one-mile swim, 25.76-mile bike, 7.37-mile swim. Entry for sprint is $55 through July 31, $85 per two-person relay. International is $75/$110. www.imathlete.com

Nature

Woodsy Owl's Curiosity Club: July 11, 10:30 a.m.-noon, Thursdays, until Aug. 1, Cradle of Forestry, 11250 Pisgah Hwy, Pisgah Forest. The Curiosity Club will hold a nature and educational series every Thursday for kids, ages 4 to 7, and an adult. $4 per child and $2.50 for adults for each program. Registration is required as space is limited. Contact Cradle of Forestry 877-3130 www.cradleofforestry.org

Eco Explorers: Stream Investigation: July 11, midnight-3 p.m., Pisgah Center For Wildlife Education, 1401 Fish Hatchery Road, Pisgah Forest. July 5 and July 20 for ages 8 through 13 years old. Explore the Davidson River by looking for aquatic macro-invertebrates, determining the water quality of the river and learning how these little critters help trout by playing an important role in the ecosystem. Free. 877-4423 www.ncwildlife.org/enjoying

Winged Creatures of the Night Twilight Tour: July 13, 7:30-9:30 p.m., Cradle of Forestry, 11250 Pisgah Hwy, Pisgah Forest. Learn more about night-flying animals. Bring a flashlight and sense of wonder to enjoy a special focus on nocturnal life in the summer woods. Wheelchair-accessible. Children can make a luna moth finger puppet to take home. $6 age 16 and older, $3 age 15 and younger, Federal Recreation Pass holders and Golden Age Passport holders.. Contact Cindy Carpenter 877-3130 ccarpenter02@fs.fed.us www.cradleofforestry.com

RiverLink's Anything That Floats Parade 2013: Aug. 10, 1-7 p.m., Hominy Creek River Park, west asheville, nc. Registration is open for RiverLink's Anything That Floats Parade. Gather a crew and join RiverLink for the wildest, wackiest event of the summer. The parade is a featured event of RiverFest. 252-8474 information@riverlink.org http://riverfestavl.brownpapertickets.com/

Enjoy Old-Time Music: July 14, 4-6 p.m., Cradle of Forestry, 11250 Pisgah Hwy, Pisgah Forest. Enjoy the music of Hilary Dirlam and Rhonda Gouge during the Songcatchers Music Series. Admission is $6 for ages 16 and older; $3 for 15 and under and America the Beautiful and Golden Age pass holders. 877-3130 www.cradleofforestry.org

Toad Tour: July 17, Paddy?s Creek Area bathhouse breezeway, Lake James State Park, 2785 NC 126, Nebo. Meet Park Ranger Jamie Cameron for what promises to be a fun-filled evening under the lights as we watch the toads on parade. 652-5047

Microtrekk-Insect Exploration: July 26, Catawba River Area basement classroom, Lake James State Park, 2785 NC 126, Nebo. Learn all about bugs; from where they live to how they?re put together, in this educational program designed just for kids. We?ll be ?building? bugs and exploring how ants make noise. 652-5047

Predator Primer: July 27, Catawba River Area basement classroom, Lake James State Park, 2785 NC 126, Nebo. Learn about the fascinating adaptations native predators use to capture their food. We?ll be looking at hawk talons, snake teeth and fox ears. 652-5047

Oskar Blues 5K Hash Run: July 20, Beech Mountain Resort, Beech Mountain Parkway, Beech Mountain. Start at the base of the ski slopes and board the quad lift for a ride to the top, runners then begin to work their way down the slopes and adjoining terrain. Entry fee is $40. 800-468-5506 www.TicketsSoEasy/brewsnviews.com

Bele Chere 5K: July 27, 7:30 a.m., Pack Park, College Street, Asheville. More than a thousand runners will line up in downtown Asheville for the start of what may be the historic final running of the Bele Chere 5K. 5K $30. Fun Run free. Contact Daphne Kirkwood events@idaph.net http://bele-chere5k.com/

River Bound Race Series: Sept. 14, 8 a.m.-noon, Warren Wilson College Trails, 2582 Riceville Road, Asheville, North Carolina. Trail race will take place in seven locations in Charlotte and Asheville. Features some of the most scenic and challenging trails in the Southeast. Contact Luiz Leonetti 8282392121 lleonetti@ncobs.org www.riverboundrace.com

Blue Ridge Parkway: Blue Ridge Parkway, 199 Hemphill Knob Rd, Asheville. The most-visited unit of the National Park Service, stretching 469 miles from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to the Great Smoky Mountains in Cherokee. Call for road and weather conditions or visit website. 298-0398 www.nps.gov/blri

Nantahala Hiking Club: Nantahala Hiking Club, Franklin. A hiking/trail maintenance club based in the Franklin-Highlands area. Call for a schedule of guided hikes or visit the website. Contact Kay Coriell 369-6820 www.nantahalahikingclub.org

Pigeon Valley Bassmasters of Canton: 7 p.m. monthly first Sunday, J&S Cafeteria, Enka, N.C.. Meetings will be the 2nd Monday of each month. This will be a permanent change to our meeting schedule. Contact PATTY MCFERREN-BLANTON 884-2846 MIDDLEFORK2846@GMAIL.COM

Park Clubs

N.C. High Peaks Trail Association: N.C. High Peaks Trail Association, P.O. Box 24, Burnsville. Burnsville-based nonprofit that works to advance awareness, education, understanding and appreciation of nature, wildlife and the nautral environment in the North and South Toe River basins, Ivy Creek and the North Carolina Portion of the Nolichucky River in the mountains of WNC. www.nchighpeaks.org